County to usher in new year with centennial celebrations

Published: Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 06:21 PM.

Come spring, the important dates start to roll in. The state Legislature granted approval for Bay County’s creation April 24, 1913, Pierce said.

The committee is working to throw a gala on or around the 24th to commemorate the moment in local history, Pierce said.

But the most important date, July 1, was when it all became official. After receiving state approval, residents busied themselves getting constitutional officers in place and forming a government, Pierce said. And it all came together in the sizzling summer.

“July 1 — that was recognized [as the] birthdate of Bay County and they celebrated in McKenzie Park that whole day,” she said.

The committee wants to re-create that party, designating Saturday, July 6, for another civic celebration. For that and the other festivities during the year, the commission gave the committee $10,000, Pierce said. The committee won’t ask for more money in the future, but it is fundraising, she said

“It’s virtually impossible to begin something like this if you don’t have some kind of money to get started with,” she said.

PANAMA CITY — This year the giant beach ball’s descent means more than a new year; it represents Bay County’s centennial celebration.

The county, founded in 1913, is using the fifth annual New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop at Pier Park to kick off its yearlong 100th birthday party.

The centennial will be promoted during the New Year’s Eve event, said Terri Pierce, chairwoman of the Centennial Committee. TheTourist Development Council created a logo commemorating the anniversary and that will be all over the event, she said. The annual fireworks show will be billed as the “centennial fireworks.”

“That’s going to be the big kickoff, and we’re hoping that will make people become aware of the centennial,” she said.

The Beach Ball Drop will include two large projection screens, which will display nearly 400 pictures showing the county over the last 100 years, Pierce said.

Once under way, the yearlong centennial celebration takes a more demure approach, with the placement of a double-sided 4-by-8-foot bulletin board display inside the Bay County Government Center. The board will feature a theme each month seen through old pictures gathered by volunteers.

January starts with “building, architecture and infrastructure.” February will be black history.

Come spring, the important dates start to roll in. The state Legislature granted approval for Bay County’s creation April 24, 1913, Pierce said.

The committee is working to throw a gala on or around the 24th to commemorate the moment in local history, Pierce said.

But the most important date, July 1, was when it all became official. After receiving state approval, residents busied themselves getting constitutional officers in place and forming a government, Pierce said. And it all came together in the sizzling summer.

“July 1 — that was recognized [as the] birthdate of Bay County and they celebrated in McKenzie Park that whole day,” she said.

The committee wants to re-create that party, designating Saturday, July 6, for another civic celebration. For that and the other festivities during the year, the commission gave the committee $10,000, Pierce said. The committee won’t ask for more money in the future, but it is fundraising, she said

“It’s virtually impossible to begin something like this if you don’t have some kind of money to get started with,” she said.

Sponsors

Now, the committee is soliciting banner sponsorships from businesses and individuals for $500 a piece, just one way it hopes to raise money for various centennial events.

The banners feature the centennial logo with the accompanying motto —“A proud past. A bright future.” They will hang on light poles at the Government Center throughout 2013.

“I just feel that it’s very important that we recognize our centennial. It’s a very big milestone in our county’s history, and we want to do it right,” she said.

Pierce has been working with the local library as she culls through the county’s history. Anita Lucas, a library assistant at the main branch in Panama City, said the county was formed mostly from Washington County and a small piece of Calhoun County.

Back then, Vernon was the county seat. And, for the residents who lived in what is now Bay County, it was too far away and acted as the impetus for the new county’s creation, said Lucas, who works in the local history room. Lynn Haven, Millville, Panama City and St. Andrews all vied to be the county seat, but Panama City drew the distinction and the courthouse was built a year later, she said.

The new county was christened in 1913, shortly after the founding of Panama City, in 1909, and St. Andrews, in 1908.

Lucas said that, according to the Panama City Pilot, the county’s population was 13,518 in 1915, which is the most accurate count near the founding date.

The 70-year-old Bay County native has seen the area change and grow over the years. She said the beach has experienced major construction and development in her lifetime.